There are enough judges for regional courts — Davide

CEBU — The appointment of Cebu judges to the Court of Appeals will not weaken the present force of judges in the regional trial court.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. made this statement yesterday as he met with the press here after a thanksgiving Mass was celebrated for him.

Davide has looked at the applications of seven Cebu judges to the appellate court with favor and dispelled concerns that the courts will be vacated once the judges are promoted. He assured the press that the High Tribunal can easily fill up the vacancies.

Among those who applied for positions in the six new divisions of the Court of Appeals are RTC Executive Judge Pampio Abarintos and Justices Isaias Dicdican, Simeon Dumdum, Gabriel Ingles, Meinrado Paredes, Olegario Sarmiento Jr. and Raphael Yrastorza.

The SC earlier expressed concern that the lack of judges has clogged courts nationwide. But during the brief talk with Davide, he gave the impression that the concern has already been addressed.

The chief justice yesterday also thanked the Cebuanos for their overwhelming support for him during the impeachment crisis. Cebuanos held a rally at the Fuente Osmeña Circle on Nov. 5, the day the articles of impeachment were slated to be transmitted to the Senate. In a signature campaign to support Davide, there were also 44,000 signatures gathered.

"The Cebuanos are beyond compare," said Davide.

Yesterday’s thanksgiving Mass was celebrated by Father Carmelo Diola, who is also a convenor of the Citizens for Judicial Independence.

Diola. however does not believe that the triumph of judicial independence ends with Davide’s victory.

"We have already restored our democratic institutions, but the fight to create a government by the people, of the people, and for the people is not yet over," he said. — Freeman News Service